Two lecturers from CHE University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, Mrs. Tineke de Groot and Mrs. Willemieke Kroeze, concluded a two-day academic exchange visit to the Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) from December 9–10, 2025, commending the passion and dedication of ICK’s nursing students and lecturers.
Speaking to ICK News, Mrs. Tineke de Groot emphasized that the primary purpose of the visit was mutual learning.
“We came here to learn from you, and for you to learn from us, so that there is mutual understanding and mutual growth,” she said. “Both our institutions train nurses, and that common ground makes this collaboration meaningful.”
Sr Domitille Mukantabana, welcomed the vistors at the Ste Elizabeth Campus
The visit focused on delivering lectures to ICK nursing students, training nursing lecturers on effective teaching methods, and engaging with faculty leaders on strengthening future cooperation especially in nursing department.
First day: Classroom interactions and hospital Visit
On the first day, the Dutch lecturers met with ICK nursing staff before delivering guest lectures to first-year nursing students. Tineke expressed admiration for the learners’ enthusiasm and commitment:
“These students only started in September, but after three months I could already see their eagerness. They are full of attention and very passionate about becoming good nurses,” she noted.
She also commended the lecturers for sharing the same passion.
Mrs. Tineke de Groot
“I saw lecturers who are dedicated to shaping competent nursing professionals. I was happy to learn that two staff members, Cyril and Adelphine, are actively taking courses to improve their educational skills. It shows they are committed to continuous learning.”
Later that day, the visitors toured Kabgayi Hospital, where they interacted with ICK students currently on clinical placement. They also held a meeting with the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, Fr. Dr. Pruduce Bicamumpaka, joined by Dr. Marie Paul Dusingize and Dr. Innocent Simpunga, focusing on research activities and exchange of experiences on research practices in both institutions.
From left to right: Dr. Innocent Simpunga, Dr. Marie Paul Dusingize, Mrs. Tineke de Groot, Mrs. Willemieke Kroeze, and Fr. Dr. Pruduce Bicamumpaka
Second day: Training and partnership discussions
On the second day, Mrs. Tineke conducted a training session for ICK nursing lecturers on strengthening teaching skills and student engagement in the classroom.
Their visit concluded with another meeting with faculty leaders to discuss strategies for expanding collaboration, particularly in the nursing departments of both institutions.
Asked to compare teaching and learning dynamics between Rwanda and the Netherlands, Tineke highlighted cultural differences while praising Rwanda’s communal learning spaces.
“In Rwanda, I see a strong sense of community in the learning process, students and lecturers truly learn together. In the Netherlands, students tend to focus more on individual learning. Both approaches have strengths, but what I observed here is deeply inspiring.”
She further applauded ICK’s leadership, noting the close connection between administrators and students:
“The Dean and the Heads of Department are very dedicated to ensuring the quality of nursing education. They even know students by name, which shows strong engagement.”
Sr. Domitille Mukantabana, the Dean of Health Sciences at ICK, thanked the Dutch lecturers for their commitment and knowledge shared.
Sister Domitille Mukantabana, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at ICK
“This visit was essential. The skills and insights they provided to our students and lecturers are invaluable.”
The visit formed part of the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions under the Erasmus+ program, through which eleven ICK students have already studied at CHE, while three more are currently enrolled there. Since the partnership began in 2018, eleven CHE lecturers have taught at ICK, and two ICK lecturers are set to travel to the Netherlands in January next year for further exchange activities.
Mrs. Tineke de Groot (left) and Mrs. Willemieke Kroeze (right)
The visitors interacted with ICK students currently on clinical placement at Kabgayi Hospital
They toured the Kabgayi Hospital
